See
this is why you become part of the DDC and stay part of it.
There aint a support group out there that has anything on this bunch.
I am glad to have stumbled on this little place.
Went through that last year. Thankfully some of the schools she was interested in ponied up some money to offset costs. They were willing to negotiate with us to get her to come to the school.
Given the Pirate Princesses academic records, Im not surprised.
If I remember correctly, shed nearly finished her first year of college requirements before leaving HS. And you should be mighty proud of that sir.
I, however, am pretty sure that Im the only person in the nation that has failed as a parent because Im forced to admit that my youngen is average when it comes to the academics. If you looked solely at his grades in performing arts, history and humanities hes up around the top of the class. Once you add the math and English back in, the numbers come back down to earth. His SATs were well above the requirements of the schools he was interested in, but not quite up to the requirements of the Honors Colleges at said institutions. As such, theres no help coming from them. The music department very much wants him, but they have less to offer (they did offer, it just wasnt a whole lot). Were he an athlete, it would also be different as well. Those departments by their nature have deeper pockets.
You know, a body can function just fine on one kidney....
Sorry to hear about the college payment issues. Ironically, I just opened the 529 College Savings account for Ryder yesterday. (Yes, about a year too late, but it was always one of those things on the "to do" list that never really got done.) DW and I each have about 4 more years of payments on our student loans, then we'll just take that money and it to what we're already contributing to those savings accounts for the kids. I can't wait to see what tuition costs in 11, 13 and 17 years. Hopefully we can at least buy them a book or two...
Dont think I havent considered it.
There is a slight legality issue with that option though.
Its good that you start early. I basically fouled up (Ill raise my hand and take blame for that one). I put away as much as I possibly could stand from the time I was 18, but it all went into 401Ks and IRAs which dont do me any good right now.
Stupid me
I went to a conference a couple of years ago and one of the breakout sessions was on planning for your kids' college expenses. I thought it would be a good one to check out. I took 2 very important pieces of information from that session...
1. The 529 plan is a great investment, because you get a 20% income tax credit if you contribute up to $5000 (in Indiana anyway). Basically a 20% return on your money just for putting it in.
2. If you contribute $5000 every year and the interest returns are very good, you're still not going to put a dent in the cost of an education in 18 years.
And on a minor note...
3. Some how you actually have to find that extra $5000 laying around somewhere to begin with.
But its still a good plan.
I dont know where youll find the 5k per either, but its a good plan.
Thankfully I have a few more years before we get turned down.
Have you looked at Berkeley in Boston? I know they have a pretty good assistance plan normally and it is a really strong music school. I know a couple of students there and they both got decent scholarships. Not sure if that looking at other schools is an option this late in the game.
Selling your house does seem a bit drastic. We are already planning to transfer assets long before applying for financial aid. Not sure that will work either, but it's worth a shot. Good luck. I'll ask my in laws how they do it. I have a nephew at Quinnipiac in CT now and his brother starting there in the fall. I'll let you know if they have any good ideas.
Berkeley is a fine music school. But one big factor in my house is that both DS and DW would very much like for him not to be more then a few hours drive from home. I know thats not logical and that adhering to this particular requirement does limit my options, but its a request I dont see myself disregarding it either.
The other trick is that Western Carolina is the one school above all the others that my boy wants to be a part of. I believe hell thrive up there as well. So Im purposely taking the hit here to see if I cant give him the opportunity to live that dream. I gave up on dreams in favor of practicality when I was his age and have regretted it since. My folks couldnt fix that for me, but I can help fix it for my boy. Thats why we have kids in the first place. To put better folks into this whacky world and to do everything possible to make sure that they have the chance to do better. My parents gave up much for me; Ive the obligation to pass that strength on.
My plan is to inherit well. Do you know anybody I can inherit from?
Well
it wouldnt be me, thats for sure
Congrats on being too wealthy. That's great that you are willing to send yours to out of state tuition. I've already told both mine that is not possible. Still, there is my whole inheriting plan. Still hard to believe that just 20 years ago, I paid $1000 per semester for tuition and books.
I could have
I almost certainly should have
But Im not very bright
It is amazing how much schooling has increased.
Frightening too.
That seems to be one of the bigger factors. If the school "wants" the student they are much more willing to work with you. I have a friend whose son graduates this year and has applied to a few schools. He started visiting his favorites in 8th grade. He let admissions (and sports coaches) know when he came to visit and built up a record. According to them, the schools want the kids they know want to be there. They got some pretty good offers from the 2 he visited most often.
All information will be appreciated. The wanting is important. If we were poorer, lived farther away (oddly enough) or if his chosen instrument were a bit rarer, or if we fit into some type of minority (any minority), or if he were an athlete, theyd want him more. Were appallingly average though, so no dice. There are other schools, that might want him enough to negotiate a bit more and Id advise anyone to go that route. But Im also trying to satisfy a dream here so Im actually causing a lot of my own problem.
Ill figure it out.
Ive always been resilient like that.
Besides
its comes with the job of raising youngens
Thats what you do.
Wish I had thought about the button to turn it into a motorcycle! 
